A case in which a 30-year-old Kasungu man Emmanuel Shawa allegedly defiled and murdered his six-year-old daughter has stalled.

Kasungu police spokesperson, Edna Mzingwitsa, said the case has stalled after Shawa was diagnosed with mental disorder and is being treated at Zomba Mental Hospital.

Mzingwitsa said the case will resume once the accused recovers.

The suspect allegedly defiled his child before killing her with a hammer.

Upon being questioned, Shawa told his wife that he had killed a chicken, a response that raised a lot of questions on his mental wellbeing.

He was later arrested and taken for mental illness examination at Kasungu District Hospital where results indicated that he has mental disorder.

Shawa was later referred to Zomba Mental Hospital for specialised treatment.

Emmanuel Shawa hails from Maswani village, Traditional Authority Wimbe in Kasungu.